Law Updates

The Ministry of Power has officially notified a new power transmission scheme under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) mode, exercising powers under the Electricity Act, 2003. Based on the recommendations of the 33rd National Committee on Transmission meeting, this initiative aims to strengthen India’s electricity network and support the rapid development of renewable energy integration across states.

The Central Government has appointed a Bid Process Coordinator (BPC) to oversee the bidding process in line with the Ministry’s updated guidelines. The BPCs must also ensure Right of Way (RoW) optimization as suggested in the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Committee report dated 24 September 2024, which focuses on reducing corridor width through advanced technological options.

In addition, every transmission route must undergo validation on the PM Gati Shakti portal and be confirmed through a detailed physical survey. This framework promotes transparency, minimizes land use, and ensures smoother renewable energy evacuation through efficient grid expansion and coordinated infrastructure planning.

The Telangana Government has released a draft notification to update the Telangana Factories Rules, 1950, to improve worker safety during medical emergencies. The amendment makes it mandatory to include Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) in every Ambulance Room and Occupational Health Centre (OHC) within factories. 

This change ensures a quick response to heart-related emergencies and enhances the overall health support system for factory employees. The proposal came from the Director of Factories, Telangana, who highlighted the importance of AEDs in saving lives during sudden cardiac arrests. After careful examination, the government approved this proposal and issued a preliminary notification under Section 115 of the Factories Act, 1948, inviting the public to share objections or suggestions within 45 days of its publication in the Telangana Gazette. 

The amendment adds AEDs to Rule 61 and Rule 64 of the Telangana Factories Rules, 1950. These rules cover the medical equipment list required in factory health centres and ambulance rooms. The notification also directs the Commissioner of Printing and Stationery to inform the public when the draft notification is available. This step strengthens workplace health and safety standards across Telangana, ensuring timely medical aid for workers and aligning factory health facilities with modern safety practices.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a new public notice on 29th October 2025, changing the procedure for Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) allocation of gold imports under the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). As per the new amendment, applicants must now have Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) registration for hallmarking and GST registration to qualify for importing gold under HS Code 7108. 

The earlier rule only stated that the import of Gold Dore under TRQ was not allowed. The updated rule adds mandatory BIS and GST requirements to ensure quality and tax compliance. DGFT has also introduced a competitive online bidding or tender system for TRQ allocation to make the process more transparent and efficient. 

This change aims to improve the management of gold import quotas under the India–UAE CEPA framework. Eligible applicants for FY 2025–26 can apply online through the DGFT Import Management System on its official website. Details about the application timeline and bidding process will be issued every year through a Trade Notice. This step strengthens India’s gold import policy, ensures fair allocation, and supports trusted trade relations between India and the UAE under the CEPA agreement.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has officially notified a new Standard Input Output Norm (SION) under the “Engineering & Electronic Items” category for mobile phone exports. Issued under File No. 01/81/171/00016/AM24-25/DES-II, this new entry, marked as SION C-2057, falls within the framework of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023.

With the introduction of SION C-2057, Regional Authorities (RAs) are now empowered to issue Advance Authorisations directly, without forwarding individual applications to the Norms Committee. This move is expected to simplify the approval process, boost efficiency, and maintain regularity in export authorisation procedures.

The new SION provides standardised input-output ratios for mobile phone manufacturing, ensuring clarity for exporters and reducing administrative delays. This update marks a vital step toward streamlining trade facilitation and encouraging India’s electronics export ecosystem under the current Foreign Trade Policy.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced a new food import entry point at the Air Cargo Complex, Kannur International Airport in Kerala. This update, issued by the Trade and International Cooperation Division, modifies the earlier FSSAI notification dated July 21, 2025. 

The move ensures that all imported food consignments arriving at Kannur Airport will undergo strict safety and quality checks under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, and the FSS (Imports) Regulations, 2017. The appointed Authorized Officer, with the designation of Superintendent, Appraiser, Inspector, or Examiner, will oversee all import clearances at this port. 

This step strengthens India’s food import surveillance and regulatory framework, promoting safe and compliant food trade. The new administrative structure will remain in effect until further notice. This initiative reinforces FSSAI’s commitment to ensuring that every imported food product meets safety norms, protecting consumer health while supporting smoother import operations through the newly designated port code INCNN4 at Kannur International Airport.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a new DGFT notification on 15 October 2025 to align the ITC (HS) 2022 Schedule-I (Import Policy) with the Finance Act 2025. This update ensures that all import classifications and policy conditions match the latest legal and financial framework. The notification introduces a new Policy Condition No. 07 in Chapters 29 and 38, stating that the import of pesticides will now require a valid Certificate of Registration from the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Imports must also comply with the Insecticides Act, 1968.

The notification also includes amendments such as inserting, deleting, splitting, merging, and revising ITC (HS) codes, along with updates to section notes, chapter notes, and product descriptions. These changes aim to simplify trade, ensure regulatory harmony, and enhance import compliance. The revised ITC (HS) 2022 Import Policy is now available on the DGFT website and is effective immediately.